Scratch building a Curtiss P-6E

[Craig]

Im working on my first scratch build. I used the Pumpkins Masters technique to copy the ribs. I place the sheet of balsa under the plan and then use a thumb tack to poke holes through the plan into the wood. (Photo 1) I then remove the wood and connect the dots with pencil.
(Photo 2). When I cut out the rib, I make sure it is just slightly larger, then sand to the exact shape. (Photo 3). It takes a bit of work, but the results are great. When sanding the ribs to shape. I place the carved rib on to of the plan and trace around it which shows me exactly where to sand and how much. I can erase the outline and do this again and again until I have the exact shape. This technique allows me to keep my plan in one piece. I dont have to cut it up. I should have the second wing done in a couple of days, but it will have to wait for the Papillon build! Thanks for reading, Craig B.

[KevinC]

Nice! I use that push-pin technique when building with foam from plans. Never tried it with Balsa. Another useful method (if you have a band saw) is to use carbon paper to trace the rib outline onto heavy plastic or thin plywood. Cut that out and then place on top of a stack of balsa to cut out a bunch of identical ribs using a band saw. The trick is to go very slowly so the saw band doesn't flex too much, thus creating non-identical ribs.

[Craig]

I haven’t tried that technique yet, but I imagine I will in the future. Thank you, now I know exactly how to do it.